The Investment Industry Association of Canada ("IIAC"), a national association that represents members of the Canadian securities industry, requested that the U.S. Treasury Department ("Treasury") and the IRS extend the effective date of the final regulations under Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code regarding the treatment of dividend equivalent payments. Citing "significant operational challenges" that include a lack of existing infrastructure and broad, ongoing systems development, the IIAC requested that final regulations apply to dividend equivalent payments made on or after

The CFTC announced that the Market Risk Advisory Committee ("MRAC") will hold a public meeting on April 2, 2015. The MRAC will discuss issues related to: (i) current risk management techniques employed by derivatives clearing organizations ("DCOs") to ensure that the appropriate measures are in place to address the potential default of a significant clearing member, and (ii) the evolving structure of the derivatives market, particularly with respect to swap execution facilities. See: CFTC Press Release; 80 FR 13352.

The latest addition of Energy Metro Desk highlights CFTC Chair Timothy Massad's attention to end-user issues. In an article titled "The End-User Grand Bargain," Energy Metro Desk outlines the recent Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee meeting, stating it "was by far the best event of its kind." According to the article, the meeting seemed to be an "important opportunity" for market participants and CFTC Commissioners to discuss "correcting past rules directed at end-users." The article also notes that one takeaway from the meeting is that a "one-size fits all" rule for hedging

SEC Chair Mary Jo White spoke at the Corporate Counsel Institute. Her remarks focused on how the SEC has and should exercise its authority over certain kinds of enforcement actions such as disqualifications, exemptions and waivers under the federal securities laws. Chair White stated that the "ultimate objective" of the SEC's decisions to grant waivers is to "safeguard the public interest and protect investors." She explained that in order to achieve this objective, the SEC must scrutinize each waiver decision and apply the applicable legal standards uniformly to determine whether the entity

The SEC requested comments on the existing requirements for the collection of information provided for in Exchange Act Rule 15g-5 regarding the disclosure of compensation to associated persons in penny stock transactions. The SEC is requesting comments on: whether the proposed collection of information requirements are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the